The Right Tool for the Job: Husking Corn by Hand

A competitor at the 2014 Iowa corn husking competition rips an ear from the stalk just before hurling it toward the waiting wagon’s bangboard.

Photo by Teri McManus

This patent for a “husking thimble” represents the first U.S. patent issued for a hand-husking device. The patent was awarded in 1856.

Image courtesy United States Patent and Trademark Office

The left hand has grabbed the ear of corn. Note position of thumb and fingers.

Photo by Don McKinley

The right hand is coming across the ear and hooking husks. The hook is placed approximately three-quarters of the way down from the tip of the ear.

Photo by Don McKinley

The husks have been opened by the hook on the right hand. The thumb of the left hand is pushing the husks toward the fingers, which are beginning to grip and tear the remaining husks.

Photo by Don McKinley

The right hand has rotated at the wrist and grabs the ear, which has been cleared of husks.

Photo by Don McKinley

As the husks are held by the left hand, the right hand sharply snaps the ear from the stalk and simultaneously sends it on the way to the wagon with a vigorous flip of the wrist. The left hand immediately goes to the next ear to be properly grabbed and ready for the hook. The husker is always looking ahead to the next cornstalk (or two) to find the position of the ears on those stalks, which will determine how the left hand will grab them. If you watch a proficient corn husker, you will observe that the right elbow never leaves the side of the husker’s body.